Ardent Advocate Of Democratic Rights

The passing of former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana, who died at 83 on Sunday, has left the nation in mourning. His departure is a loss for the nation, as we mourn not only a former Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) but also a champion for democracy, individual freedoms, and social justice. Many believe that Dhungana will be remembered for his strong moral standing, commitment to his work, and unwavering belief in human rights, justice, and freedom that set him apart from most of his peers and leaders.

The country underwent significant transformations during the former speaker’s lifetime and career. Nepal’s authoritarian Rana and Panchayat systems, both notorious for political oppression, formed the backdrop of the former speaker’s early life. Dhungana gained prominence as a legal expert, a defender of civil liberties, and a notable contributor to the nation’s democratic progress during these times. These experiences influenced his decision to join the Nepali Congress, a party known for its struggles for restoration of democracy, human rights, and freedom.

Dedication 

His political journey, especially his tenure as the Speaker of the HoR, was marked by his unwavering dedication to democratic principles, even when it meant going against his party’s leadership. He is known for his integrity, as his name was never linked to any wrongdoing. This distinguishes him from many of his contemporaries. While numerous peers faced allegations of wrongdoing and some served jail sentences, he remained untarnished, never implicated in any cases of corruption or illegal acts.

Following the return of multi-party democracy, voters in Kathmandu Constituency No. 2 chose Dhungana as their representative in the 1991 parliamentary election. After the restoration of multiparty parliamentary polity, his position as the first ‘elected’’ Speaker of the House set a precedent that, for many, continues to be unmatched. He led the parliamentary chamber with fairness, impartiality, and respect for the democratic principles and process. Even during a period of political discord and intense power struggles, Dhungana ensured that opposing voices were heard, maintaining his institution’s neutrality. His oft-quoted statement that “the parliament belongs chiefly to the opposition” conveyed his deep belief in the core principles of democratic values and norms.

He remained away from competitive politics until 2017, when he contested in the elections for parliament from Bhaktapur but did not secure the seat. Prior to that, he had suffered a midterm election loss to Bidya Devi Bhandari of CPN UML in 1994, which, along with differences with leadership, had forced him to withdraw from the Nepali Congress and electoral politics. Despite this, he remained a popular figure as his negotiating skills were impressive. However, it was his high ethical standards and devotion to parliamentary process that truly distinguished him from other leaders of his time. Even though he was chosen as Speaker by most Nepali Congress parliamentarians, as Speaker, he often rejected the party’s agenda. He opted to stay above partisan politics, a decision that gained him admiration from both political rivals and his ex-party members. 

Dhungana has made important contributions to Nepal’s democratic movements. Besides participating in the restoration of democracy in 1990, his involvement in the 2006 people’s movement was significant, contributing to the end of the monarchy and the establishment of Nepal as a federal democratic republic. He remained a vocal critic of autocratic tendencies and continued to speak up for civil rights. He never shied away from speaking the truth, even when it meant criticising the government or his own party. His devotion to the principles of a democratic government was unyielding, and he never faltered in his stance. 

People recognised his legal skills and deep dedication as key to his role as a diehard supporter of human rights during the repressive Panchayat era. Even after entering politics, he continued to spearhead the cause of equality, using his legal knowledge to create policies to protect the rights of citizens. Dhungana’s role in Nepal’s peace process was regarded as an important factor in his professional journey. A brutal Maoist insurgency, lasting a decade and claiming over 17,000 lives, left the country deeply scarred and divided. During the early stages of peace negotiations, he played the role of a mediator. He understood that achieving peace demanded more than just military strength. His efforts somewhat helped integrate the Maoist rebels into the mainstream political process, setting the stage for a new era of inclusive governance.

Meaningful resolutions

He devoted his later life to addressing the unresolved problems of transitional justice. He supported victims of the war, advocating for their right to justice and compensation. Despite the leadership’s failure to keep promises made to conflict victims, Dhungana remained unwavering while working for meaningful resolutions. The outpouring of sympathy and sorrow following his passing demonstrates the respect he earned from people and political parties. Leaders from across the political spectrum, including President Ramchandra Poudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, and Speaker Devraj Ghimire, have lauded the late Dhungana’s impartial nature, expertise, wisdom, and dedication to democracy and human rights.

Meanwhile, his humility, honesty, and strong sense of righteousness were the qualities that endeared him to many. Amidst the political climate of division and self-serving motives, Dhungana emerged as an honest civil society leader. To sum up, as the nation and people pay their respects to him, let us remember and adhere to the former Speaker’s lessons on safeguarding and promoting democracy, freedom and justice as fundamental rights. Throughout his life, he exhibited moral strength, dignity, and a steadfast commitment to his principles and we can honour him and his lingering memory by upholding the standards of integrity, fairness, and courage he exemplified.

 (Upadhyay is a former managing editor of this daily.)